Route FAQ: Why Flights Take Longer & Cost More
Why is my London to Tokyo flight 14 hours instead of 11?
Since February 2022, most European and many Asian carriers avoid Russian airspace due to reciprocal bans and airline risk policies. The polar and Siberian shortcuts that previously saved 2 to 5 hours are unavailable, forcing flights south through Central Asia, the Middle East, or over the Pacific. Russian and some Chinese carriers that still use Russian airspace maintain shorter flight times.
Do all airlines avoid Russian airspace?
No. Russian airlines and carriers from countries that did not impose or receive bans continue to use Russian airspace. This includes airlines from China, India, Turkey, and several Middle Eastern nations. EU, UK, US, Canadian, Japanese, and Korean carriers are prohibited from Russian airspace, and Russia has reciprocally banned them.
Why are flights to the Middle East more expensive now?
Several factors contribute: increased fuel costs from longer routes avoiding conflict zones, higher war risk insurance premiums that airlines pass through to ticket prices, reduced competition on some routes where carriers have suspended service, and higher demand on remaining available flights.
What is the Iraq corridor and why does it matter?
The Iraq corridor (primarily Baghdad FIR) is one of the busiest air corridors connecting Europe to South and Southeast Asia. When conflict or instability affects this corridor, hundreds of daily flights must reroute through already congested alternatives such as the Iran, Saudi, or Egyptian corridors, creating cascading delays.
Can my flight be rerouted mid-air?
Yes. Air traffic control can issue rerouting instructions at any time if airspace becomes restricted. Airlines also have dispatch authority to change routes based on real-time intelligence. Passengers typically notice only as additional flight time or an unexpected approach direction.
Why do flights to India go via the Middle East now?
European carriers that previously flew direct over Iran and Pakistan now often route through the Arabian Peninsula or southern corridors due to airspace restrictions and risk assessments. This adds approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on the specific origin and destination pair.
What is cascade closure?
Cascade closure occurs when closing one piece of airspace overloads adjacent airspace, triggering further restrictions. For example, closing Ukrainian airspace in 2022 shifted traffic into Moldovan and Romanian airspace, causing capacity issues and additional route restrictions. The effect can propagate across multiple flight information regions.
How do airspace closures affect ticket prices?
The primary cost drivers are additional fuel burn from longer routes, war risk insurance surcharges, reduced route competition, and operational complexity. Industry estimates suggest the Russia overfly ban alone adds $5,000 to $15,000 in fuel costs per long-haul flight, which carriers distribute across tickets.
Are there routes that have gotten shorter or cheaper?
Some transatlantic and intra-Americas routes are largely unaffected by current conflicts. Routes between the Americas and Australia via the Pacific also remain similar in duration. Competition on these corridors has kept prices relatively stable compared to Europe-Asia routes.
How long will the Russia overfly ban last?
There is no confirmed end date. The ban is tied to broader geopolitical sanctions and reciprocal restrictions. Airlines and industry groups including IATA have indicated they plan for the ban to remain in effect indefinitely. Some carriers have permanently adjusted their fleet and network strategies accordingly.
These answers are for informational purposes only based on publicly available data. Always consult your airline and official aviation authorities for specific guidance.